East Baton Rouge Parish coroner talks about number of overdose deaths, homicides in 2023
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark released the annual report for 2023 Thursday morning.
Clark said there were 107 homicides investigated in 2023 compared to 136 the previous year. In the first quarter of 2024, he said his office has worked 43 homicides.
“We’re worried that we’re gonna have a bad year when it comes to homicides in this community because the number is not looking good so far,” Clark said.
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According to the report, there were 289 overdose deaths in the parish last year. The coroner’s office said it continued its anti-opioid campaign in 2023, working with the Louisiana Opioid Task Force, the governor’s office and community groups.
In 2023, the coroner’s office also investigated nine infant deaths related to unsafe sleeping environments, 46 deaths related to suicide and 66 car-related deaths.
The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency presented the coroner’s office with a certificate designating them as a “donation champion” and recognized Clark with a medallion. According to the annual report, the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office sends the most referrals in the state.
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